Senate website defaced

The Senate of the Philippines confirmed Thursday that its website has been defaced, even as a group of supposed hackers claimed responsibility for the act.

In a statement, the Senate said it has launched a probe into the matter.

"Upon detection of the incident, our technical team immediately initiated security protocols, contained the issue, and commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and extent of the unauthorized activity," it said.

"Additional security measures are also being implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," it added.

According to the Senate, an initial assessment indicated there is no confidential or sensitive information that has been compromised by the attack.

"The website primarily contains publicly available documents and informational materials intended for public access," they said.

"We assure the public that protecting the integrity and availability of our systems remains a top priority. We continue to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary," they added.

Defacement is a form of cyberattack wherein hacktivists change the appearance or content of a website, according to the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity.

On Facebook, a group called Nullsec Philippines on Thursday claimed responsibility for the defacement and warned that it was "watching" the Senate.

"The Filipino people entrusted you with power, responsibility, and the duty to serve the nation-not personal interests, political dynasties, or corrupt networks," the group said.

"Every peso lost to corruption is a meal taken from a family, a classroom left unfinished, and a future denied," they added.

The organization also called for greater transparency and accountability in government.

"To those who serve with integrity, continue your work. To those who abuse the public's trust, know that citizens are paying attention. The people deserve the truth," they added.

As of Thursday mid-morning, visitors to the Senate website were greeted with a message that the portal is under maintenance, and that they can check back again later.

Visitors are currently barred from entering the Senate while its employees are on work-from-home (WFH) arrangements from June 10 to 11, 2026 amid heightened security measures in response to alleged threats. — VDV, GMA News